272 
PENTSTEMON ARGUTUS. 
to furnish an account of an entirely new species, which is yet almost exclusively 
restricted to the higher nurseries. 
P. argutus is a North American plant, inhabiting, as we have satisfactory 
evidence for believing, some of the southerly districts of Texas. It has perhaps 
been known in Britain three or four years ; but, within this time, has not been 
very widely dispersed. We have noticed it, for two years past, in the London 
nurseries, although we have never seen it flower freely till the last summer ; when 
it exhibited its beautiful blossoms at Messrs. Henderson's, Pine-Apple Place, 
uninterruptedly from June till November. In the month of September, our artist 
took the drawing which is herewith furnished. 
The number and height of its stems — which last averages from three to four 
feet — are the prominent peculiarities of this species. From the treatment hitherto 
afforded, it would seem to need a place in the greenhouse. Of its equal hardihood, 
however, with P. speciosus, and likewise with P. gentianoides^ there can be little 
question. To the latter plant, it assimilates most nearly in habit, being of a 
slightly suffruticose character. It must also be far easier to preserve through the 
winter than the majority of its congeners, as the leaves are neither large, numerous, 
nor glaucous; and to the attraction for moisture which these three properties 
present, all the losses of plants of this tribe may be attributed. 
Planted in the open border towards the month of June, it is easy to imagine 
that this species would create a much more showy effect than if kept in a pot. 
The stems should be cut down to within a few inches of the earth in the autumn, 
and, with a slight mulching of old bark, it may be left through the winter ; its 
native country, and the characteristics already named, being almost certain 
guarantees for its safety. 
Owing to the profusion of its branches, and their half- woody character, no 
Pentstemon multiplies more readily or abundantly from cuttings. Seeds are also 
liberally borne, and may be sown as soon as ripe in a bed or pot supplied with a 
moderate heat. When the plants appear, they should be placed singly in small 
pots, gradually hardened, and set in a dry frame till they are required for the 
borders, merely repotting them when needful. 
